Newspaper Closures / Absorptions - Mexico

Posted by Erina Lin on May 25, 2007 at 5:08 PM

by Tatiana Repkova

One of Mexico's leading regional newspapers has said it is shutting down temporarily amid continuing attacks and threats from suspected drug gangs. The offices of Cambio Sonora have come under grenade attack twice since April. The newspaper is based in Sonora state, on the U.S. border, which last week saw a battle between drug gangs and security forces that left 22 people dead.

Rising drug-related violence in Mexico has prompted President Felipe Calderon to send troops to several states. Speaking on Thursday, Calderon insisted he would not abandon his policy of sending the army in to tackle drug-traffickers despite growing criticism. Calderon, who has been in office nearly six months, has sent more than 20,000 troops throughout the country to battle the drug cartels who have been fighting each other for control of territory and drug routes. About 1,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence so far this year. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6691267.stm; May 25, 2007